Tag Archives: caramelized cinnamon apples

Welcome to Chopped Challenge Thursday, Week Eleven! I can’t believe it has been almost 3 months since I began this little portion of the blog! It has been a blast and this week was especially fun because my 87-year-old grandma in Houston, Texas submitted an ingredient into the mix (with a little help from my Mom to post on Facebook)!

Check out Nana this summer with my Mom and I while showing off her backyard garden!

Nana submitted Cinnamon because she said that she heard it has a lot of health benefits! She’s one smart lady because cinnamon does pack a lot of health benefits including lowering bad cholesterol, relieving arthritis pain, stabilizing blood sugar and even eliminating migraine headaches!

The next three ingredients added into the mix were brussels sprouts from Allison Davis, apples from Wendi Garrison and oranges from Cynthia Mitchell.

I already had an Apple Sausage Gorgonzola Tart on my menu for the week so I decided to use the additional ingredients from “Mystery Basket Monday” to turn the Tart into this weeks Chopped Challenge Thursday!

The final result of “Chopped Challenge Thursday” Week Eleven: Caramelized Apple and Onion Tart with Gorgonzola, Sausage and Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Ingredients (makes 2 tarts – serves 4)

1 cup brussels sprouts

1/2 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)

1/3 cup and 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar (divided)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

3 cloves garlic (minced)

2 tbsp butter

2 red apples (cored and sliced)

1 red onion (sliced)

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 oranges (juiced)

1 roll phyllo dough (app 20 sheets)

2 sweet italian sausages (sliced)

1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese

1 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)

Start by quartering the brussels sprouts and placing on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss with the minced garlic.

Place into a 425° oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside while preparing the rest of the tart.

Now on to caramelizing the apples and onions. Melt the butter in a large skillet then add the sliced apples.

Cook for 2-3 minutes then add the sliced onions.

Cook until the apples and onions become tender, about 8-10 minutes, then add the brown sugar, cinnamon and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

Combine all of the ingredients together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Set to the side while preparing the orange vinaigrette for the tart.

Hi, I'm Whitney! I’m a sports-loving, coffee-drinking, food blogger, the host of “ 29 Minute Meals”, a contributing writer for TODAY Food, cookbook author and on camera food and lifestyle expert, regularly featured on news stations across the country! On my blog, you’ll find most recipes are made in 29 minutes or less, in one pot, or in a crock pot! Learn More